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Copyright © IJIFR 2015
Original Paper
International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research ISSN (Online): 2347-1697
Volume 2 Issue 5 January 2015
Abstract
Teaching methods adopted with the objective to reach the students and making them spread their outreach to larger span and perimeters of knowledge level is always a successful method. Time proven and experimented methods ensure time bound results to any institution/college but unless innovativeness is included the students will not be motivated to aspire higher levels in their technical intellect to reach anchoring heights in their life. With this thought the team of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Institute of Technology (BRAIT) did the SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats) analysis in 1996 (then known Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Govt. Polytechnic) and thought of structuring its teaching process under ISO (International Organisation for standardisation) standards. Probably ours was the first institute in Government system to go for ISO. With all support under the umbrella of Andaman & Nicobar Administration it acquired the ISO standards and then continuously improved it by adding more innovative practices, with better interaction and designing a system based teaching process, to inculcate the skill in students which will help them to apply the acquired Technical knowledge in their course of study. The institute also adopted its Environment Management System to bring about an environmental friendly culture amongst the staff and students. A Case Study was conducted by surveying the final year students with a tool Questionnaire AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring Heights) to analyse and its benefits. The reaffirmed that innovative practices have benefitted them with more than 70% of students submitting towards the positive inputs they reaped during their course of study in BRAIT.
Innovativeness in Technical Education for Students
AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach
Anchoring Heights) – A Case Study
Paper ID IJIFR/ V2/ E5/ 043 Page No. 1379- 1390 Subject Area Technical
Education
Key Words BRAITian, QMS, QMI, MIS, SIS, AAGREH, Learner Centered Activities,
Technical Education, Innovative Methodology, SWOT
S. Raji 1
Lecturers in Civil Engineering Department
Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Port Blair,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India
S. Aishwarya 2
Lecturers in Civil Engineering Department
Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Port Blair,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India
1380
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
1. Introduction
Dr. B. R Ambedkar Govt. Polytechnic was established in the year 1984 and Second Govt.
Polytechnic was established in the year 1989 with the objective to fill up the gap between the
demand and supply of technical manpower in these islands. In the year 2010, both the Institute
was merged and it was renamed as Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Institute of Technology. The institute
popularly known as BRAIT in Islands, offers four degree program, three B.Tech (Civil, Computer
Science and Electronics & Communication Engineering) one in Nautical Science (Deck Cadet
Course), seven Diploma program (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics & Communication,
Computer , Information Technology Engineering and Hotel Management) one Post Diploma
program in Marine Engineering and three Certificate program which include two in Hotel
management and one in Maritime studies. In addition to this non-formal courses for skill
development in school drop outs or rural and urban unemployed youth was also offered under
erstwhile Community Polytechnic scheme and thereafter continued under Technical Vocational
Education Training (TVET) program.
The geographical isolation of Andaman & Nicobar Islands gives the teaching fraternity and the
students both in school as well as in higher education the challenge of keeping themselves abreast
with the latest happenings in the outside world. Being the only technical institute entrust greater
responsibility on BRAIT to open windows of opportunities to the island students by adopting a
vision which commits that- “We develop a competitive workforce.” In order to set a road map to
achieve the same the team collectively went to a new venture of introducing ISO standards in
teaching process. Thus the Institution established, documented, implemented, and maintained a
Quality Management System (QMS) and Quality Management Instructions (QMI) in accordance
with the requirements of all applicable standards and regulations and continually improves the
effectiveness of its QMS.
2. Approach Followed
The team identified the following primary processes needed for its operations and their application
throughout the organization. The processes identified were:
Admission Process
Teaching Process
Appointment of Regular Faculty & Guest Faculty
Checking and control of guest faculty selection
Monitoring and Measurement Process including conduct of examinations as per the
affiliated Board/ University Guidelines, Director General of Shipping guidelines and All
India Council for technical education (AICTE) Norms
Assessment of board exam answer sheets as per affiliated Board guidelines under local
assessment.
Management responsibility
Resource management
Internal communication
Continual Improvement
Student feedback
Placement service
Once these processes were identified then the sequence and interaction of these primary processes
as per Process Interaction Map was implemented. This was followed by ensuring the criteria and
1381
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
methods for making both the operation and management of these processes effective. Thereafter
the resource availability was ensured to support the process and then continual monitoring and
measurement was carried out.
The Quality Management System and the Quality management Instructions were defined for each
section which included Academic, Human Resource which covered Training & Placement Cell,
Campus, Hostels, Purchase and Vehicle Sections. The departmental Quality assurance process was
kept same for all the Engineering and Hotel Management department.
3. Innovative Methodology to build an Institutional System
The innovativeness is practised and identified under different focus area which ultimately
converges into a larger scope for student empowerment and development so that they are best
suited for industry and employability with inherent quality of commitment and conviction. The
methodology adopted for innovative practice under various areas is as follows
3.1 Teaching Learning Process
The quality process included in Teaching Learning Process diverges to higher level of control
involving all the stake holders in the process. This include the Management Information System
(MIS) information from class room to higher levels and thereby continuous monitoring at all points
for better productivity. This assures preventive measures for redundancies and removal of
unproductive work wherever the process gets into its maturity level. The figure- 3.1 shows the flow
and process adopted for monitoring followed in the system
Figure 3.1- MIS for Teaching learning Process
The prevention of non-conformity is assured for both internal and external process as the
performance analysis is carried out for grey subjects having results less than 55%. Feedback is
taken from failures for assuring the reasons for process improvement and accordingly remedial
measures are implemented. The trend is mostly observed in analytical subjects thereby suggests for
more tutorials sessions and thereby gives idea for future correction. The process cycle is depicted
in the following figure 3.2
Lesson Plan /PracticalSchedule
•Content covergae as per syllabus within the Academic Calender
•Thrust on Practical with group of five performing different practicals
MIS for Class Room Monitoring
•Daily submission by Class Representative and Absentees information send to parents
•Class Room teaching verified for coverage of Microteaching concepts
Review Meetings
•Management Review Meeting monitoring and assuring continous improvement and innovative
•Faculty Review Critical to quality (twise in semester) -resource requirement and process
•Class Representaive Review (twice in Semster) for input regarding overall process
1382
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
Figure 3.2- Process cycle for preventive non-conformity
3.2. Learner Centered Activities
Students entering into college have different perspective about technical studies and the role they
need to play for industry. Therefore it becomes more so important for the system to succeed to
introduce all those components which are asked by Employer. The feedback received from
Industry/Employing organisation, after the students went for their Industrial attachment training,
made the team realise that the geographical isolation of these Islands need to be filled up with
some extra efforts on soft skill which covered –communication , presentation and oratory skills
under Focus Group Activity (FGA) classes. The intake include students from vernacular medium
with non-English background which was the biggest challenge for the faculty handling FGA
classes with first year students . But soon it became the platform for effective teacher student
interaction and moulding initiatives (as shown in Figure 3.3
. Figure 3.3 –Process followed for Learner Centric Activities
Internal and
External Exam
Result Analysis for
performance Mesure ment
Grey Subject Analysis for preventing
Non Conformity
Feedback analysis and Remedial
classes and
Question bank
Software updation
with Modal papers
Rope-In program for freshers organised by
seniors in the supervision of Student
counsellers
Studnet Advisors (Faculty from
Department)collecting personal data and
helping in registration and other academic
counselling
Focus Group Activity (FGA) obtaining Skill Map
and preparing Activity Matrix for soft skill
development
Student Teacher Cocept -Seniors
conducting classes for Juniors as per the Topics assigned by
faculty
Student Committiees for Cultural, Sports, Literary, Academic,
Hostel Mess Management activities
1383
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
In addition to above the students are also motivated for philanthropic values and social obligations
so that they become more responsible towards the social issues and help their fellow needy batch
mates. This is done by giving them scope to participate in the following
a) Benevolent Fund- contribution which is used for economical poor students to meet their
academic fees
b) SoCh –On the occasion of 30th Anniversary of establishment the BRAIT team identified
activities to address the Social Challenges (SoCh) wherein various groups attempts to attend
the selected problem and students voluntarily give their efforts and time under the guidance of
the event manager (faculty) who owes the basic idea. The various groups under this concept
are
i. AUO –Attending unattended ones where students identifies elderly, mentally
challenged people who are discarded/ unattended by their family.
ii. Pratidaan – contributing an amount of Rupees 1 Lakh to Lt. Governor’s Relief
annually fund which is used at the time of need
iii. SWATCH – Saving water by cleaning habitats having drinking water wells
wherein well water is tested for its portability and identifying the treatment
required to make it safe and healthy for the users in the neighbourhood
iv. SABAS- Saving and attending Beaches which are spoiled due to tourist activities
and sensitizing the local population to adopt safe disposal of plastics and other
wastes to save marine life.
v. SANKALP- Socially attending not very known and Less Advantageous people
where students interacts with inmates of orphanages and arrange programs to
attend to their emotional and academic needs.
vi. Know your neighbourhood –where the students select the neighbourhood area
which requires basic amenities and co-ordiante with the authorities to do the
needful
vii. Awareness on Social Issues – Students perform Nukkad Natak (Street Play as
shown in figure) and organise bike rally for drawing attention of general public on
issues like importance of sanitation and related diseases due to mosquito breeding,
traffic rules and road safety etc.
viii. ARPAN – Alternative Resource to Polythene to avoid Nuisance, in which students
groups collects used papers and cotton cloths to make bags and distribute the same
at crowded places where they are required the most.
Figure 3. - Arpan Bag Distribution and other SoCh Activities , Nukkad Natak,
1384
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
c) Disaster Preparedness – Two hour weekly, students attend class on Disaster Preparedness
which is a course prepared with the objective to prepare the students for situations of disasters.
In addition to the theoretical part students have to undergo training on physical drills for
keeping them physically and mentally fit for such situation.
d) Involvement in National Day Celebrations – Students are given different platform
during National day celebrations (Independence Day, Republic Day etc.) wherein they are asked to
depict the stories of unsung heroes to understand the motive behind such devotion and conviction
for the nation. Meritorious staff and students are also awarded on these days for their exemplary
work.
3.3 Feedback System
Any system becomes dysfunctional and non-productive if effective feedback system is not in
place. In order to create more transparency and to uphold the practice of ethics and values the
inbuilt feedback flow at various levels and stages is allowed which is depicted in figure 3.5 below
Figure 3. 5 - Feedback system for continuous improvement
3.4 Placement Initiatives
The quality management system considers the employer (industries/organisation) as customer and
the passed outs are considered our products. Thus to get the best customer for our products the
need analysis is carried out at regular interval and students are exposed to the corporate industrial
culture through training. The initiatives are given below in figure 3.6
MR
Meeting
Input from from External &
Internal Audit
Open Forum at department and Institution Level
Feedback from Parents, Employers and External Examiners
CR Meeting, Faculty Review Meeting (Critical to Quality) and Plain Paper feedback from
students
1385
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
Figure 3.6 –Placement Initiatives for stduents
3.4 Environmental Friendly Initiatives
The Environmental Management System (EMS) implemented in the campus covers the following
process
Paper Recycling Plant – The used paper in the campus is recycled after segregating at
disposal point
Windrow Composting of Solid bio-degradable waste (food waste and other such wastes
produced by Hostels and staff quarters) is collected and the compost produced is used for
the large garden in the campus
Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) – first and only of its kind in the island to treat waste water
Rain Water Harvesting – roof system and a mini Bund is used to tap the water
Measures To Reduce Power Consumption by changing the conventional lamps
Initiatives For Paperless Work - by introducing intra- portal facility wherein all circulars
and entries are made online through various software designed by students as their
academic projects
Figure 3.7- ETP, Windrow Compost and paper recycling plant functional in campus
Industry Institute Interaction (organising
special lectures by experts, Industrial attachment
training) training
Industrial visits and tours relevant to subjects in each
semester
Pre-placement Training for students (on soft skill,
aptitude) and mock interviews
-Testing minimum basic skill and knowledge at final year
-In-house training by industrial experts on latest technology used
in industry
Campus Selection
1386
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
3.5:E- Initiatives
The process involved in QMS is captured through various software indigenously prepared by
students as their projects which helps in data maintenance, storage and thereafter analysis for
improvement. One of the major breakthroughs in this initiative is the large databank provided by
Students Information Software (SIS) wherein the personal information is registered at the entry
level and thereafter monthly attendance, marks for both internal and external exams, skill map for
soft skill development plan and details of participation in extracurricular and co-curricular
activities is recorded. On the other hand faculty details are also entered to capture the performance
of Lecturers/Faculty, result analysis, grey subject analysis, class average and yearly result
comparison, as per the subjects handled by them. In addition to SIS , various other software
fulfilling the requirement of QMS are depicted below
Figure 3.8- Software implemented to assist QMS
4. Validation of Benefits
The students entering into the system from the far flung islands later indulge into bigger venture of
employability and thereby attempting for brighter jobs in mainland as the only source for
employability is the government sector in these islands which has become stagnant. In order to
authenticate the expected benefit a survey was carried out amongst final year students who have
undergone the process of QMS and EMS complimented with other initiatives. The survey
questionnaire AAGREH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring Heights) aimed to
capture the objective derived for each and every initiative gave the following outcome;
Academic
•SIS •e-Question Bank •e-learning
resource •Time Table •e-chalan for fees
Resource Management
•SAM (store Accounting & Manageement ) •Purchase Software
Adminsitrative
• ISO documents & Qulaity records •Biometric
Software (attendance, leave and Salary account) •E-circular •M-Governance (for
informing parents about absentees) •e-messages
1387
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
After becoming a BRAITian , how do you feel
How FGA helped you
How the academic Project helped you
Why you feel empowered
66%
1%
1%
32%
Confident Scared
Confused Glad Iam here
26%
73%
24%
Enhanced Knowledge
confidence
oratory skill
33%
Series1, , 0, 0%
79%
Series1, , 0, 0%
87%
12%
Gains Practical knowledge
Learn advanced techniques
Gives insight to research work
Gives freedom to implement ideas
80% 19%
36%
Students view is considered
Not considered
Open forum
1388
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
How the academic atmosphere of BRAIT is helping you?
How do you feel the change as a person?
What are the changes you have undergone after becoming a BRAITian ?
What you like the most about BRAIT?
95%
4%
Series1, will help in higher studies,
0, 0%
26%
12% 24%
Enriching academically
Not helpful
will help in higher studies
has become more responsible
will give better job opportunities
Became more disciplined
90%
5%
15%
26%
20%
Feels the importance of Moral Values
Not felt much change
Feel good factor with SoCh
Feel more responsible
feel more patriotic with Celebration ofNational days
80%
1% 8% 5% 14%
26%
31%
Changed for good
No change
Positivity in thoughts
Environment friendly
Became Socially responsible
Learned Values
Rise in Confidence
50%
Series1, , 0,
0%
30%
24%
Environment Teaching Both
1389
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
Your learning from EMS in the Campus
How do you feel for your nation?
Figure 3.9- Survey Outcome of AAGREH
5. Conclusion
The system driven process has given the following benefits
- Prior planning of subjects and thereby identifying required resources (both
manpower and material/equipment)
- Accessibility of all academic related information to students through a strong
databank supported by Student Information System (SIS) software
- Use of e-data in daily academic activities to make the functional process effective
and efficient
- More transparency in system for both accessibility and objectivity of maintaining
quality
- Ease in change in process for continuous improvement
- Easy removal of redundancy due to close looped process making end to end
connected with respect to delivery and measurement
- Timely identification of non-conforming performers both at teaching and student
side for necessary preventive and corrective measures
- Effective feedback system at various levels
- Empowering students in system modification and improvement
- Scope for more innovativeness by continuous scaling of output derived from each
change
84%
4%
21%
36%
12%
5% 3%
Became Environment friendly
No Change
Cleanliness
Recyle & reuse
Join SoCh activities
Tree plantation
Use ink pen
93%
12%
24%
17%
4%
5%
Need to be a responsible citizen
Need to fight corruption
Should be socially responsible
Respect Nation
will join Defence force
should avoid using foreign products
1390
ISSN (Online): 2347-1697 International Journal of Informative & Futuristic Research (IJIFR)
Volume - 2, Issue - 5, January 2015 17th Edition, Page No: 1379-1390
S.Raji & S.Aishwarya :: Innovativeness in Technical Education for
Students AAGRAH (Aspiring and Analysing Goals to Reach Anchoring
Heights) – A Case Study
Reference
[1] QMS (Quality Management System) and QMI (Quality Management Instructions) of ISO
documents
[2] Survey report -AAGREH
BIOGRAPHIES
Corresponding author is a Civil Engineer and has done her Post graduation
(M.E.) in construction Management & Technology. She is born and brought
up in Andaman Islands and did her graduation from Gujrat University in the
year 1993 and her Post graduation from NITTTR, Chandigarh with Punjab
University. She is been in teaching profession for last 20 years and has been
actively participated in all student centric activities for BRAIT. Her field of
interest is Traffic Engineering.
The second author is also a Civil Engineer and has done her graduation
from Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. She is born and brought up in Tamil Nadu
and has been in teaching for last five years. She has been actively involved
in student related activities in Civil Engineering department of BRAIT and
looks after the Disaster Preparedness Activities for the entire institute. Her
field of interest is Irrigation Engineering, Building Drawing and Structural
Engineering.